Spring Renewed: ArtPrize 2010

The time has finally come to show you what I have been working on for many, many hours recently.

I have the honor of entering and showing my artwork in ArtPrize 2010. Click here for more info on ArtPrize.

For this years entry I decided to try my hand at Encaustic Wax. Encaustic wax is basically beeswax, resin, and pigment mixed together and heated. I used my good old electric skillet to do the job. I should add that I really don't cook so don't worry about me not being able to use it for "food" use in the future. I applied the wax in layers with a paintbrush (a real one, not a synthetic one) in between the wax layers I would heat the painting up with my good 'ole Stampin' Up! heat gun to fuse the layer together.

The painting is made up of three canvases each 12" x 48". The painting was created so it could hang either all three pieces together, like in the picture, alone, or even vertically. I really like pieces that let the "owner" decide how they should go. There is no right or wrong for this painting.

Here is a close up of the grass. You can see the different layers and texture that the wax allows me to create. I also used some wax medium to make a glaze with the pigmented wax for even more texture.
Budding tree tops. Can you see the depth that I was able to create by using a glaze technique.

The good 'ole spring sky.

Side view of the paintings.

If you are in the Michigan area you can see my work at the Ottawa Tavern in Downtown Grand Rapids, on Ottawa st, in the Water's Building. Enjoy!

yep, I know...

I know that I haven't posted in way too long again. I have been working like a crazy woman around here and will hopefully be able to revile my project in the next couple of days.

Some of you many know, or not that I have my BA in Fine Art. So, last year when Grand Rapids (where I live) hosted that first ArtPrize international art competition I jumped on the chance to exhibit my art. I have been on a "fine art" break for many years, well since 2001 to be exact. I'm not saying that the art I create is fine art in any sense of the word. I tend to have a very modern folksy style.

Soooo, I have the honor of being able to exhibit a piece again this year. If you are in the Grand Rapids or Michigan area come on down and check me out at Ottawa Tavern (downtown behind Kendall College of Art and Design).

If you would like to find out more about ArtPrize click here.

I will post up some pictures here sometime over the weekend for you all to see.

Until then......Happy Crafting!

I'm Baaaaack!

Well, I will be the first to admit that I haven't been keeping up on my blog like I had wished.  Bummer.  I have been super busy ever since convention.  Let's see I went to convention, was only home hours and went camping for 5 days.  Super fun! 

Also, another exciting thing in my life is that I am an Art Prize artist.  Ok, I know that you are probably thinking what???? Art prize is a international art competition that is taking place in Grand Rapids, MI the end of September.  Most of you don't know, but my BA degree is actually in Art, so when I heard about Art Prize I thought I have got to be a part of this history.  I have no plans of "winning" but it is still cool to be selected by a venue (let me tell you it was tricky to get) to show my painting.  Once things get finished up I'll post a picture on here.  If you want more details go to www.artprize.org

All that to say, August has been BUSY!